Chilling drone footage shows the extent of the crash, which destroyed 23 houses, with one eyewitness saying it "killed entire families".

The death toll has now risen to 38 after bodies were pulled from the wreckage.

A Kyrgyzstan official has told AFP that a "pilot error" caused the crash and local media reporting that looters have descended to plunder through the wreckage with one man detained by police for pilfering two kettles.

One eyewitness said: "There's nothing left of the houses, people were killed with their whole family, their children. Many people were sleeping."

One nine year old boy reportedly left the family home early for school in a neighbouring village.

However, after seeing the plane come down he reportedly ran back to his home to find his entire family had been killed.

One heartbreaking video shows a woman, who reportedly lost her son in the crash, crying at the scene.

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Kyrgyz officials initially identified the Boeing 747-400 as belonging to Turkish Airlines, but Turkish cargo operator ACT Airlines said the jet was theirs.

A statement said: "ACT Airlines is deeply saddened to report that an accident happened during the flight from Hong Kong to Bishkek by Boeing 747-400 TC-MCL registered cargo aircraft at 01:20 Z. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and further details will be provided as they become available."

Muhammed Svarov, a spokesman for the country's emergency services, said the total number of dead "could be bigger".

He said: "Major work is underway. The damage to infrastructure in the village is significant."

Over 40 firefighters and 9 firefighting trucks are operating at the crash site.

A government commission has been set up to examine the causes of the tragedy.

Wreckage is spread across an area of one hectare.

A national day of mourning for the crash victims is to be announced by the Krygyzstan authorities.

"In light of the plane crash that left over 30 people dead, Kyrgyzstan will announce the national day of mourning. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambayev will sign the corresponding decree," said the presidential press service .